KANNOJ, SATPAL, POOJA GUPTA SONI, K. K. BHARDWAJ, SATYAWAN ARYA, NEERAJ KHAROR AND RAVISH PANCHTA
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section),
Department of Soil Science CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: kannojathwal@hau.ac.in)
(Received: 9 December 2025; Accepted: 28 December 2025)
SUMMARY
Balanced nutrients application has become increasingly important for enhancing productivity and quality of cluster bean under intensive cultivation systems of semi-arid regions. A field experiment was conducted during the summer season of 2025 at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, to evaluate the response of summer cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) to graded levels of polyhalite in comparison with conventional sources of sulphur and potassium under recommended fertilizer dose (RDF). The study was laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments comprising recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) alone and in combination with graded levels of polyhalite, sulphur supplied through gypsum and bentonite, and potassium through muriate of potash. The results revealed that supplementation of RDF with polyhalite significantly improved plant height, yield components, seed yield, straw yield, guar gum content, and protein content over RDF alone. Application of RDF + 250 kg/ha polyhalite recorded the highest seed yield (822 kg/ha), straw yield (3491 kg/ha), gum content (39.0%), and protein content (30.75%), though these values remained statistically comparable with lower polyhalite levels and potassium-based treatments. Economic analysis indicated that despite higher biological yields under higher polyhalite doses, the maximum net returns (Rs 17,186/ha) and benefit-cost ratio (1.50) were obtained with RDF + 40 kg/ha K2O. Overall, balanced fertilization involving secondary nutrients enhanced productivity, quality, and profitability of summer cluster bean, with potassium supplementation emerging as the most cost-effective option under the prevailing conditions.
Key words: Cluster bean, polyhalite, gypsum, bentonite, potassium